Tea and Caffeine

The caffeine content in tea varies depending on the type of tea, the region it is harvested from, when it is picked, and how long it is steeped.

Caffeine and Its Natural Sources

Caffeine is naturally found in plants like tea, coffee, mate, and guarana, and it is also synthetically present in some soft drinks and medications.

Differences Between Tea and Coffee

The caffeine content in dry tea leaves is higher than in coffee. However, when coffee beans are brewed, they release a higher concentration of caffeine. On average, coffee contains twice as much caffeine as tea.

Caffeine Content in Different Tea and Coffee Types

The caffeine content in a cup of tea or coffee for different varieties is shown in the table below:

Turkish Food Codex and Caffeine Content

According to the Turkish Food Codex, the caffeine content in dry tea must be at least 1.6%. (Although there are different caffeine levels in each type of tea, the minimum amount is the same across all tea categories.)

Unique Features of Green Tea

While green tea does contain caffeine, this amount is half of that found in black tea. Additionally, green tea contains another active compound called L-Thianine. The combination of L-Thianine and caffeine can have positive effects on anxiety disorders.